(The following appeared at WESH.com on November 18.)
SANFORD, Fla. — Amtrak announced on Tuesday that it has canceled north and southbound Auto Train service through at least Wednesday.
The announcement stranded dozens of passengers in Sanford.
The Auto Train takes passengers and their vehicles from Sanford to Lorton, Va., near Washington. Amtrak officials said cracks were found in some of the car carriers during an inspection and must be repaired.
The company provided 160 people aboard the train with a refund and hotel vouchers for the night, but most passengers chose to get in their cars and drive home, which for many is in the Northeast.
“We were shocked because we wanted to have a leisurely ride home instead of driving all the way to Pennsylvania,” passenger Carol Bowman said.
“I’m upset a little bit because you’re two weeks on vacation and you’re ready to be home, but then you can’t,” passenger Tiziana Albert said.
Amtrak officials stressed that the cancellations were made as a precaution — not a result of any problems.